WIGANER Cheryl Dunleavy completed the quartet of races at he home-town race festival with the half marathon.

The Burnden Road Runner had set herself a goal of completing all four races at festival - the 5k, 10k, 10-mile and half marathon and, along with husband Andy and fellow Burndeners Tony Fulop and Gayle Gerrard, she got her wish

The ‘challenging, undulating and hilly’ run, to use some of the racers’ words, takes in the best of Wigan and Haigh – using a mix of road, canal tow path and trails.

But it was no match for the quartet as Andy Dunleavy shone and was awarded second V60, while he, Fulop and Gerrard all gained new personal-best times – Fulop beating his previous time by more than five minutes and Gerrard hers by four.

Burnden results: Andy Dunleavy - second V60 - 1hr 34mins 26secs, Gayle Gerrard - 1:49:21, Tony Fulop - 2:40:16, Cheryl Dunleavy - 2:43:26.

Smiling alongside the Wigan-halfers was Holly Craggs, who opted for the 10-mile version of the race and chieved first V40 in a time of 1:22:21.

It was a sea of red, grey and black (as well as lots of hi-vis pink) as Burnden Road Runners took over the running of Bolton’s parkrun, under the watchful eye of this week’s run director and Burnden member, Gareth Doherty.

All duties, including marshalling, first-timer briefing, token scanning and timing, were covered by Burnden’s members alongside some volunteers.

Doherty started the runners off and it was cowbells and cheers aplenty as lots of Burndeners joined in the run to make up a field of 212. Joining parkrun for the first time was Burnden Beginner, Howard Entwistle, who has been building up to running the course for the last nine Saturdays.

Daughter and Burnden Bee graduate, Chelsea, ran alongside her dad, as did Shirley Robinson and Jen Forkin as 45-minute pacers.

Howard finished the course in a great time of 42:32 – his aim being under 45 minutes, while Chelsea Entwistle was right behind in 42:33, Jen Forkin and Shirley Robinson following in 42:35.

Dynamic duo, and friendly rivals, Mark Jackson and Shay Walker were neck and neck throughout and finished within seconds of each other and in fourth and fifth overall positions – Jackson in 20:10 and Walker in 20:24.

Sarah Watton was first lady home for Burnden in a swift 24:18.

Other Burnden results: Stephen Horsman 22:54, Marcus Hamer 23:25, Steven Bate 23:29, Paul Duke 23:30, Andy Dunleavy 23:44, Colm O’Brien 25:40, Mike Caine 25:59, Simon Irving 28:40, Mel Walker 29:56, Kathryn Berry 30:19, Philip Glassbrook 30:42, Tony Woodiwiss 30:44, Richard Blake 32:58, Jennifer Entwistle 34:51, Peter Whiteside 48:05, Nia Bell 1:02:17.

Surrounding parkruns were a little bereft of Burndeners this week because of the takeover at Bolton, but Chris Greenall visited Heaton Parkrun and achieved an impressive 24:30, while Simon Marland and Sue Blackman took a trip to Crewe Parkrun, Marland finishing in 33:34 and Blackman in 33:46.

n Burnden’s baby, the Trotters 5 Mile, is fast approaching and promises to be a good event with post-race prizes and refreshments, as well as a cake sale in aid of Bolton Hospice.

The route ventures around Smithills Farm and Hall, through woodland, on to road and through a bit of mud.

Special Burnden buffs are on offer for all participants and the course is well-marshalled.

It takes place next Sunday, April 3 and for more information, visit www.burndenroadrunners.co.uk.